How do I prepare for motherhood without losing my sense of community and self?

Rabia built her legacy not in isolation but in radiant connection—and that's what you need now, before the baby arrives. The risk isn't becoming a mother; it's becoming a mother alone. Start now to build the kind of community that will hold you when you're sleep-deprived and transformed. This doesn't mean joining a group (though it might). It means identifying the people who see you as a whole person, not just a vessel or a future parent. Tell them what you need: someone to sit with you in silence. Someone to bring you food. Someone who asks about your inner world, not just the nursery color. Rabia's devotion was never transactional—she gave love that asked nothing in return. But she also received it. Community works the same way. You can be a mother and a woman with her own questions, desires, and boundaries. These aren't in conflict. Before birth, practice saying no to things that deplete you. Practice asking for help. Practice being known for who you are, not just what you're about to become. The most generous thing you can do for your child is to model what a human looks like—complete, connected, real.